Sarah Ghiorse lived with strength and loved with her whole heart. She died at her home in Santa Fe, New Mexico from cancer. Powerful, devoted, and deeply rooted in love for her family and community, she built a legacy that will continue to shape the lives she touched. 
Born and raised in Greenwich, Connecticut, she came of age in Santa Cruz and San Francisco, California, and put down roots in 2005 in Santa Fe, New Mexico, cultivating beauty and community with her everywhere she went. Through the sharing of beautiful food, a commitment to social justice, a deep spiritual practice, and remarkable academic prowess, Sarah left an indelible impression on all who knew her.
Sarah served as President and CEO of the NewMexicoWomen.Org, leading with unwavering commitment to gender justice and centering her work in healing and equity.
Under her leadership, the organization grew significantly; Sarah raised and mobilized millions of dollars in service to the New Mexico communities most impacted by inequity. Social justice work wasn’t simply Sarah’s profession; it was the thread woven through everything she was and stood for.
No matter her role, mother, sister, daughter, friend, partner, or community leader, Sarah made those around her feel seen and heard. She preferred depth over surface in her interactions, asking profound questions, connecting ideas across disciplines and experiences, providing creative analysis, and gently challenging those she loved to reflect, to learn, and to grow. Her greatest sources of joy were hiking, running, music, and sitting around a fire, with her children and the people she cherished, sharing poetry, stories, and songs.
Sarah is preceded in death by her husband, Luke Spangenburg. She is survived by her children, Nico and Sadie Spangenburg, who carry forward her legacy of community, working for justice, and love for nature and adventure. She is also survived by her mother, Ann D’Elia, and stepfather Danny Martin; her father, Peter Ghiorse, and stepmother Linda Ghiorse; her sisters, Alison Ghiorse and Catherine Ghiorse (Joe McCarthy); her brothers, Matthew Ghiorse (Melissa Curtin), Pete Ghiorse (Caroline Ghiorse) and James Ghiorse; and a large and beloved extended family of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews, many dear friends, and the sweet family dog Oona.
Those who love her are asked to carry her forward by living generously, creating beauty, doing the hard and sacred work of personal growth, and tending the fires she built and lit. Contributions in her memory may be made to the “Nico and Sadie Spangenburg Trust” via www.nicoandsadie.com or by contacting Peter Ghiorse
at [email protected].